Rolling Acres Mall in Akron has a new owner and hopes to have a new purpose. After nearly a decade of decline only two stores, Sears and JC Penney, remain open. Rather than retail, the new owners -- Premier Ventures of California -- hopes to house businesses such a call center or community college in the 600 –thousand square foot common area. It’s a vision property manager Tim Dimoff worked hard to sell.

“I grew up in Akron and I took this on not only as a business project but as a personal project because of the city I grew up in, and I’ve always believe that the Rolling Acres area could be brought back.”

Dimoff says the investment group paid 3 million dollars for Rolling Acres, which opened in 1975.

Last month, a South African developer announced plans to convert another abandoned northeast Ohio mall -- Randall Park -- into a center for manufacturing and distribution, as well as exhibition space, theaters and Ohio Technical College classrooms.

Listener Comments:

I'm born and raised in Akron, OH, and I think bringing Rolling Acres back into a successful place is a great thing for the area. I remember as a little kid we would shop there and my dance studio would put on performances there during the holidays and then suddenly we weren't allowed to go there anymore because the crime had made it unsafe. Turn it into something that gives back to the community, Akron needs it.Posted by: Corinne (Cary, NC) on December 7, 2010 10:12AM